malaysiana

Happy New Year! & Moving

2007-01-01T22:24:00.000+08:00

Dear all, Happy New Year and May 2007 be a great year for you. This blog will be moved to liewchintong.com from now.

PM Abdullah: Holidaying as usual?

2006-12-27T10:42:00.000+08:00

"How can you think about holidays at this critical time?," a senior Johore state exco commented. We are now certain that MCA President and Minister for Housing and Local Government Ong Ka Ting is still overseas on holiday as the Star printed his statement today without mentioning his whereabouts. Our next question: Is Prime Minister Abdullah in town? Reuters picked up a minor detail not

Malaysia to hold off elections till 2008

2006-12-25T03:17:00.000+08:00

December 13, 2006 Click to listen to interview Malaysia Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has said that an election before 2008 would be unlikely. This is to give himself more time to battle corruption and win the support of the public. The deadline for the Prime Minister to dissolve Parliament and hold elections is 17th of May, 2009. Mr.

Kevin Rudd

2006-12-05T20:50:00.000+08:00

Yes, it is true that I am obssessed with Malaysian politics. But politics anywhere interests me as much, especially Australian politics, which I spent almost four years following on a daily basis when I was a student there. I regret that the heavy load of work now, and the physicall and pyschological distance, prevents me from doing so. Anyway, this is such occassion that I shall not miss. The

Non-Malays and UMNO keris waving act

2006-11-28T18:20:00.000+08:00

Asia - Malaysia Non-Malays still troubled by Umno keris

Cyberspace talent search

2006-11-28T18:18:00.000+08:00

The DAP’s search for new faces as candidates in the next general election has extended into cyberspace and these may range from an Oxford graduate to a well-known blogger, writes JOCELINE TAN. LIM Kit Siang is reportedly the first politician to have his own website. Last year, on no less than Merdeka day, he started his own blog. More than 100 comments flooded in within 24 hours, a number

UMNO GA 2006: a throwback to the 1980s

2006-11-22T08:50:00.000+08:00

The UMNO GA 2006 represents one of the worst assemblies in history, as far as racist statement is concerned. I can’t think of a year that creates more fear and anxiety among non-Malays than this since 1991, when former Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad mooted the idea of Bangsa Malaysia. Although racial politics of Barisan Nasional has always been pervasive, throughout the 1990s and early

Tough tasks for Abdullah

2006-11-20T09:04:00.000+08:00

Asia - Malaysia Tough tasks for Abdullah despite

Racial debate

2006-11-19T12:48:00.000+08:00

A race debate that won't go away

UMNO GA

2006-11-19T12:35:00.000+08:00

At the Umno General Assembly: Will it boil down to 'them versus us'? 17 Nov 2006 Wan Hamidi Hamid Is the show of strength and bluster by Umno delegates going to have a lasting impact? From Monday till yesterday, most of the party delegates who took to the rostrum, made it known publicly that the Malays would no longer tolerate any form

Lost in transition (4) - Abdullah's 47th National Day speech

2006-11-07T11:02:00.000+08:00

As Malaysia approaches her 50th national day in 2007 with increased ethnic tensions, latest fueled by Johore Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani who "rubbished" (quoting his fellow Johorean Muhyddin Yassin) the concept of Bangsa Malaysia, Abdullah's 2004 National Day speech was indeed memorable. "MARILAH KITA, SEMUA RAKYAT MALAYSIA, TANPA PERLU RASA RENDAH DIRI, TANPA PERLU RASA TERPINGGIR, TANPA

Lost in transition (3) - Pak Lah's first speech as PM

2006-11-01T15:29:00.000+08:00

On 3 November 2003 in Parliament, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi carefully staged his first parliamentary speech as Prime Minister through a Motion of Thanks to Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. The second part of the speech outlined Abdullah's broad political objectives. It is beyond doubt that Abdullah has discarded most of ideals. What's really dissappinting and sad is the loss of our collective idealsm for a

Clifford Geertz (August 23, 1926-October 30, 2006)

2006-11-01T15:05:00.000+08:00

As a student of Southeast Asian studies and Islamic politics, Clifford Geertz's thoughts are simply unavoidable. The Religion of Java and Islam Observed are important works that shaped the views of many, including mine. In the former, he discussed the three-way split of Muslims in Indonesia. In an era of Islam-bashing and one-size (label)-fits-all, Geertz reminded us of the importance of local

Lost in transition (2) - Competing for tomorrow

2006-10-30T15:29:00.000+08:00

This masterly crafted piece was Abdullah's first speech as Acting Prime Minister. "First world infrastructure, third world mentality", which Abdullah saw as a Malaysian "malaise" was used here. "COMPETING FOR TOMORROW" KEYNOTE ADDRESS TO THE OXBRIDGE SOCIETY OF MALAYSIA SUNWAY CONVENTION CENTRE, PETALING JAYA, 6.3.2006 Let me first express my gratitude to Tan Sri Abdullah Ahmad and

Lost in transition

2006-10-30T14:50:00.000+08:00

October 31st three years ago, Abdullah Badawi took over the helm from his predecessor for twenty two years, Mahathir Mohamad. Amidst anxieties over uncertain future were hopes for a more open society and a transparent government. In matter of three years, the Abdullah administration has expended the exceedingly huge political capital and goodwill Malaysians bestowed it at the end of

Sixteen hours behind

2006-10-29T13:16:00.000+08:00

While I may know quite a few things about US Federal politics from afar - enough to surprise some Americans - it is a very different experience to learn about the diversity of the system first hand. It's basically a very decentralized polity where states and counties decide on numerous issues close to the hearts of the people. Among others, the choice of time zone can be a heated election issue

Washington D.C.

2006-10-22T20:11:00.000+08:00

Sorry for not blogging for quite a while. I arrived in Washington D.C. on Tuesday to attend a three-week International Visitor Leadership Programme in the United States. Staying in a mid range hotel which service is bare minimum but with a superb location: one block away from the White House. Write soon.

TV appearance tonight

2006-10-01T15:09:00.000+08:00

I am appearing on ASTRO AEC 19 tonight at 8:30p.m. to discuss the recent controversy over the misuse of renovation funds for the Chinese schools. The notion of 'cabinet collective responsibility' will be examined. The talk show will be repeated on Friday and Sunday 10:00a.m. See you!

The King and Thaksin

2006-09-24T23:46:00.000+08:00

Msianecon was right that there was no massive post-coup support for Thaksin. A BBC report quoted a Thai academic suggesting that "people liked Thaksin, but they love the king." I published a Chinese article in Oriental Daily on Saturday which concludes that "the fight between the King (with the backing of the military) and Thaksin is that of between the old and new elites. Such competition is

The King Never Smiles

2006-09-21T14:41:00.000+08:00

The bloodless coup in Thailand shocked the world. Many things have been said but not much about the role played by the Palace. Shawn W Crispin of AsiaTimes provided a rosy picture of a well-accepted royal-sponspored coup, while a 8th September article by Paul Handley, author of The King Never Smiles, predicted that coup is one of the palace's choices to end Thaksin's spell on the monarchy.

Blogwatch

2006-09-21T14:36:00.000+08:00

The last few weeks have been hectic and I apologise to whoever bother to read this blog that I have not updated it as frequent as I wish. The following is an interview by Jack Yong Ho of Radio Singapore International on this blog. Enjoy listening. Blogwatch - Malaysiana September 1, 2006 Blog Watch is a new series which explores blogs from around the world. This week, we

Mohd Sidek Hassan - Sequence of events

2006-09-07T09:42:00.000+08:00

I made a mistake when blogging Mohd Sidek Hassan's appointment as New KSN. He sent a letter to Parliament explaining why the AP List that irked MPs was released. Nonetheless, not a KSU not knowing that only ministers (in his capacity as MPs) can 'table' papers in Parliament is strange. It is even stranger for him to be promoted to top civil service job. Thanks Lihyi for correction. AP issue

Budget 2007 (1) - Santa Claus

2006-09-02T20:52:00.000+08:00

In his speech to UMNO General Assembly 2005, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi lamented that the government had been treated like a santa claus. “[T]here are not enough contracts to be shared among the multitude of contractors in the industry. Clearly, in the construction sector, supply of services far outstrips the demand for it. There are too many players on a shrinking field. In 2000, the

Mohamed Sidek Is New Chief Secretary To The Government

2006-09-01T00:12:00.000+08:00

Bername reported today that Tan Sri Samsudin Osman finally departs the scene after serving more than five years as the top civil servant - Chief Sec to the Government. Samsudin's rather long tenure, with three extensions of contract after his reached the mandatory retirement age of 56 three years ago, has something to do with the political need of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. The then

The impact of Khairy’s remarks on Malaysia’s ruling coalition

2006-08-30T10:53:00.000+08:00

August 29, 2006 Click to listen to interview Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi’s son in law Khairy Jamaluddin, has said that if the ruling UMNO party becomes weak, other non-Malay parties would use the opportunity to make demands. His remarks came as he moved to deflect recent criticism of the government from former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

HEP is of no help

2006-08-26T17:36:00.000+08:00

On 17 July 2006, a group of students from Universiti Putra Malaysia were threatened and abused by leaders of the university’s Student Representative Council (MPM) and residential collage student committee; two female students were even pushed to the floor. Their ‘crime’: Student Progressive Front they belong to is not a ‘registered’ organization, thus had no right to set up booth to meet other

ASTRO - Khairy and the BN formula

2006-08-26T17:28:00.000+08:00

I will be appearing on Astro with MCA MP Wee Kah Siong and Sin Chew's Deputy Editor Tay Tian Yan （郑丁贤）. ASTRO AEC Channel 19 Sunday 27 August 2006 8:30p.m. live

Mahathir the man vs. Mahathirism

2006-08-19T21:57:00.000+08:00

Articles by Kim Quek, author of Where to, Malaysia, are usually good read. This is no exception. I sensed something amiss this week as the mainstream media cut down coverage on Mahathir but couldn't explain why, apart from guessing that it may be caused by a ruling from the authority. While distinguishing Mahathir the man from Mahathirism - an investion by Khoo Boo Teik - is not new , Quek's

Interview with RSI

2006-08-19T21:49:00.000+08:00

Attached with a recent interview with Radio Singapore International which examines Mahathir's motives in challenging Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi. Dr. Mahathir refutes claims of trying to topple Prime Minister Abdullah August 14, 2006 Click to listen to interview Malaysian Cabinet Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz has said that former Prime Minister Mahathir

On the spat, again!

2006-08-19T21:44:00.000+08:00

I know I am harping too much on THE spat and I guess Flowing Stream was right that it is by now 'overgrilled'. But what else do you do if you are a so-called 'analyst', whatever it means.:) FOCUS - Malaysia political row unsettles investors, caps stock market moves by Soo Aipeng KUALA LUMPUR (XFN-ASIA) - A bitter row between Malaysia's former leader Mahathir Mohamad and his handpicked

DAP Forum on the Mahathir-Abdullah spat

2006-08-17T20:36:00.000+08:00

Dear all, I will be speaking at DAP's forum in Mandarin on the spat between the two prime ministers. Date: 18 August 2006 (Friday) Time: 800p.m. Venue: Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, Jalan Maharajalela, KL. Free entrance.

The 1978 Scenario

2006-08-14T01:52:00.000+08:00

I pointed out in the talk show last night that Tun Mahathir was not the first former Prime Minister thinking of making a comeback. In 1978, the Tunku wrote in his column in the Star that he was fit and healthy to serve. He tried to test the ground when the stock of the other accidental PM Hussein Onn was at the lowest ebb after suffering from 'minor bruises' in the 1978 general elections when

Astro Talking Issues: Abdullah fights back?

2006-08-13T09:47:00.000+08:00

Dear all, I will appear on Astro Talking Issues (AEC Channel 19) at 830p.m. Sunday 13 August. The programme will be repeated on coming Friday and Sunday.

ST on Abdullah

2006-08-09T01:38:00.000+08:00

Asia - Malaysia Abdullah faces down his critics Reme Ahmad, Malaysia Bureau Chief 8 August 2006Straits TimesEnglish(c) 2006 Singapore Press Holdings Limited Prime Minister rolls out projects and counters Mahathir's charges point by point as he dispels image that he is weak KUALA LUMPUR - FIRST, Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi tried maintaining an 'elegant silence' in response to

South Johor Economic Region - Interview with RSI

2006-08-05T00:00:00.000+08:00

South Johor Economic Region August 5, 2006http://www.rsi.sg/english/perspective/view/20060805191817/1/.html Click to listen to interview To download PODCAST of program -

Build-then-sell policy's a sham

2006-08-03T15:08:00.000+08:00

On 21 May 2004, Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi mooted the idea of “build-then-sell” (BTS) in housing development, to the delight of house buyer advocates and much to the chagrin of developers. After two long years of dilly-dallying, Najib announced, after chairing the National Council of Local Authorities meeting, that the government has agreed “in principle” to introduce BTS, whereby house

Hello

2006-08-01T23:41:00.000+08:00

Dear all, It has been quite a while since I last posted something here. Maintaining a blog needs a lot of discipline, which is apparently lacking here. A tight schedule makes things worse. But as I am about to complete the masters course that requires my full attention since last year, I suppose it is now time to see if blogging regularly is my cup of tea or not. Enjoy reading.

Article Preview: Road carnage worsens

2006-08-01T22:54:00.000+08:00

On July 30, eleven people were killed, nine seriously injured while 26 others sustained minor injuries when a chartered bus on its way from Ipoh to Bukit Mertajam overturned. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi extended his condolence to the victims. Works Minister Samy Vellu was asked to convey his condolence. Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy was tasked to inquire what Bernama (wrongly)

Astro Talking Issues: IPCMC

2006-07-09T11:54:00.000+08:00

I will appear on "Talking Issues" tonight with Bar Council President Yeo Yang Poh and Kota Melaka MP Wong Nai Chee to discuss the setting up of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC). Astro AEC Channel 19 live boardcast at 830p.m. Sunday 9 July 2006 repeat at 1000a.m Friday 14 July 2006 & 830a.m. Sunday 16 July 2006.

World Cup: World war by other means?

2006-07-09T02:54:00.000+08:00

Time flies. I have returned from Korea more than two weeks ago but have since been bogged down by meetings, work, classes.... I have wanted to share these photos a month or so ago before FIFA World Cup begun. Now the final whistle is just hours away. No doubt football fans all over the world are fervent; but it seems to me that Koreans are perhaps more "nationalistic" - whatever the word

Astro Talking Issues: Mahathir vs. Abdullah

2006-06-25T00:55:00.000+08:00

I will appear on "Talking Issue", a live telecast TV talk show (Astro AEC Channel 19), to discuss on Mahthir's tirade against the Abdullah administration, on this Sunday at 8.30 p.m. See you.

The state of the Tunku's monuments

2006-06-23T18:36:00.000+08:00

The current state of the Tunku’s monuments The Tunku Monuments Status University of Malaya Remained intact. National Museum The government plans to build new museums in Putrajaya. Parliament House Lost its preeminence to Bangunan Perdana Putra (Prime Minister’s Office) in Putrajaya. National Mosque

2006-06-23T18:30:00.000+08:00

Lessons about legacies Liew Chin Tong (The Sun, 22.6.2006) They say history always repeats itself. Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad complained that the media censored his statement. Any form of censorship is wrong and I defend Mahathir's right to speak his mind. But let's also be reminded that when the Star resurfaced after being

Korea

2006-06-22T01:06:00.000+08:00

My one-month stint in South Korea has come to an end. I will blog about my observations, perhaps with some reflections, upon return to Malaysia. Photo: taken at the De-Militarized Zone (DMZ) between South and North Koreas. Named Freedom Bridge, it is now a bridge to nowhere but in 1953 South Koreas POWs walked free from their captors after the Korean war. Seoul 22.6.2006

Brave New World

2006-06-18T22:56:00.000+08:00

Philosopher Peter Singer's syndicated article on food and animal rights reminded me of an unforgetable trip to a 300-acre industrialized egg farm in 1997. I was then reading Aldous Huxley's Brave New World for a literature class. The farm gave meaning to the uncomfortably cruel aspect of the 'conveyer belt' that Huxley anticipated. Published in 1932, Huxley's satirical portrayal of the

Senseless bans

2006-06-15T23:12:00.000+08:00

While books were banned, the Big Brother in George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty Four kept confiscated books and read them. According to the Chinese Yazhou zhoukan, though Bruce Lee’s films were banned in China during Cultural Revolution, records show that its great leader Mao Zedong actually watched them. But for Malaysia, it is altogether a different story. The Big Brother who banned Amir

He helped rid two PMs, will Pak Lah be next?

2006-06-12T16:56:00.000+08:00

Liew Chin Tong Jun 12, 06 2:17pm Malaysiakini analysis Is Pak Lah the third prime minister to be brought down by Dr Mahathir Mohamad? Not only did Mahathir send off three of his four deputies - Musa Hitam, Ghafar Baba and Anwar Ibrahim - in his half-a-century political

A question of legacy

2006-06-11T14:33:00.000+08:00

Having spent some years reading books and articles on Malaysia's political history, I suppose I can't be faulted at joining the lastest sport in Malaysia: Mahathir bashing. Any form of censorship is wrong and I defend Mahathir's rights to speak his mind. But for the eventual departure from an undemocratic society where the PM makes all decisions, Mahathir's deeds as an authoritarian should

Clowns

2006-06-11T11:41:00.000+08:00

Dr. Mahathir tastes his own medicine now. When he was Prime Minister, Malaysians were told that they could not think for themselves. Whoever opposes government policies were said to have been influenced by people with ulterior motives.Now Mahathir is told that he should not be influenced by others 'with an agenda', as if the great leader of yesteryears could not think.Such was the logic of

Political correctness

2006-06-11T11:22:00.000+08:00

The Thai King - world’s longest-reigning monarch - celebrated 60 years on the throne two days ago and is still revered when other monarchies suffer from a credibility deficit. Despite coming to power under a cloud after his brother's mysterious death, King Bhumibol Adulyadej wielded his power cautiously, as seen in the recent crisis. I still remember an

Korea's local elections

2006-06-09T23:06:00.000+08:00

Korea held its crucial local elections on 31 May 2006, which saw the crushing defeat of ruling Uri Party. The ruling party won only 1 of 16 key mayoral/gubernatorial seats. Its chairman Mr. Chung Dong-young resigned subsequently. Korea's party system is in a flux. On the one hand, presidential system does not require its executive to hold a majority in the legislature, unlike parliamentary

Mahathir the backstabber?

2006-06-09T22:58:00.000+08:00

Mahathir's harsh words are indeed like swords. I have submitted an article entitled 'Mahathir the backstabber?' to a newspaper. Let's wait for its publication. PREVIEW "Is Pak Lah the third prime minister to be brought down by Dr. Mahathir? Not only did Mahathir send off three of his four deputies, namely Musa Hitam, Ghafar Baba and Anwar Ibrahim, in his

Putrajaya

2006-05-28T22:57:00.000+08:00

Still on Dr. Mahathir's landmark interview with Malaysiakini. Commenting on Putrajaya, he said: "I made Putrajaya, yes? It’s not for me. It’s for the future. In fact, I had planned to resign in 1998. Had I resigned in 1998, I wouldn’t (have gone) to Putrajaya at all. But it doesn’t matter to me. And the house for the prime minister, because the incoming prime minister, I thought, was going to

Korea's answer to soapbox

2006-05-27T23:03:00.000+08:00

"South Korean politicians, however, are actually camped on the street. Laying bare the policies of their parties in such a manner that gives a pulse to Korean politics. I have witnessed one week of campaigning here in Gimcheon and I am extremely impressed. Candidates are transported in mobile soapboxes that actively seek every corner of the city," says a British who is disenchanted with

Asia247.tv

2006-05-26T22:40:00.000+08:00

Asia0900: Sarawak Poll Results Wednesday, 24 May 2006 As a follow-up to the Sarawak Elections, we spoke to DAP’s political researcher Liew Chin Tong and PKR’s Dominique Ng regarding their surprises and aspirations. Producer: Sam Hui, Jeremiah Foo Format: Video Podcast (English) Duration: 6'30" Released: May 24, 2006

Minding PMs' sons' business

2006-05-25T23:13:00.000+08:00

As a matter of principle, family members of prime ministers should not have anything to do with the government, said Dr. Mahathir. The question is: Is Mahathir immune from the disease? It is fascinating to read Malaysiakini's landmark interview with former Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. All ex-prime ministers of Malaysia, the Tunku, Hussein Onn and now Mahathir, have somehow turned

Hi from afar

2006-05-25T21:42:00.000+08:00

Life is full of ironies and I make no attempt to conceal such fact. Malaysiana, as the tag suggests, is about things Malaysia, in particular its politics which interests me most. But the irony is that this very first message is posted from a small town in Korea where I am on sabbatical. I have wanted to join the blogsphere for quite a while but bogged down by works and studies. Enjoy reading.